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In 2005, a cable car known as Teleferico opened in Quito, Ecuador, providing tourists and locals alike a quick way to get to the top of the Pichincha Volcano that rises behind the city. With its starting station located in the heart of Quito, riding the Teleferico is a simple, straightforward affair, although you should plan certain aspects of your trip before you board your carriage -- namely, the means you plan to use to descend from the summit.

Step 1

Decide how you're going to get down before you board your cable car. The Teleferico's cable cars include bicycle racks, so you can bring your bicycle with you and ride down. If the thin air at the top is too much for you, simply reattach your bike to the cable car and ride the car back down. Although bicycle rentals are available at the summit, bringing your own might offer you greater peace of mind, as rentals could be sold out by the time you reach the top.

Step 2

Take a taxi to the Teleferico station in Quito. If the driver doesn't know the location of the station, inform him you need to get to the intersection of Calle Arnulfo Araujo and Avenida Occidental.

Step 3

Purchase a ticket at the ticket booth. Prices for a round trip are $8.00 for foreign adults, $5 for foreign children and $4.50 for local residents.

Step 4

Bike or take the Teleferico back down after you've enjoyed the view at the top. As with the journey up, coming down takes around eight minutes, so if you're looking to savor the experience longer, biking might be a better choice.

Tip

Plan your ride on Teleferico with the hours of operation in mind -- from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m daily. If you ride up and down on the cable car and spend an hour at the peak, you'll require at least 90 minutes, so make sure to arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. unless you are sure biking back down will work for you.

Warning

If you choose to bike down, don't overexert yourself. The air at the top of the volcano is thin, and you might not be able to ride at the same pace you would at a lower altitude.

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About the Author

Robert Schrader is a writer, photographer, world traveler and creator of the award-winning blog Leave Your Daily Hell. When he's not out globetrotting, you can find him in beautiful Austin, TX, where he lives with his partner.